Description:
The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA). These disorders may be primary or secondary to other disorders including medications, infection, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. The underlying pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria for the warm and cold AIHAs will be reviewed. An important focus will be on the laboratory testing required for a proper diagnosis. Using illustrative clinical cases, the indications for therapy will be assessed and the available standard initial therapies reviewed. Since many patients with these disorders will require subsequent treatment, the indications and efficacy of second- and third-line treatments will be reviewed. There will be a review of novel treatments in development for both cold and warm AIHA. Since red blood cell support is often required and complicated in both types of AIHA, attention will be paid additionally to the transfusion medicine support required for these patients.